This evening (Wednesday), at IDF Training Base 15 in Glilot, a retirement ceremony was held for the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, Aharon Haliva, who resigned four months ago and was the first senior IDF officer to announce his resignation following the events of October 7th.
In his speech, Haliva spoke about the challenges he faced and said: “On October 7th, Simchat Torah, that bitter and dark day that I carry on my shoulders, we did not uphold the sanctity of our oath. Since then, we have made every effort to repair and rebuild from the fragments. I have always done my utmost to serve the country with dedication. I was privileged to serve the State of Israel for more than 38 years.”
He continued, addressing the responsibility he bears: “The ultimate responsibility for the failure of the Military Intelligence Directorate lies with me. Responsibility demands action. I was raised to take responsibility, and it must be fulfilled through deeds, not words. Even now, achieving the war’s objectives is our focus, especially the return of the hostages and the dismantling of Hamas. Even at this moment, we face both near and distant threats, and the expansion of the campaign is on the table.”
Haliva called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry and emphasized that the Military Intelligence Directorate had already begun investigating the failures: “In recent weeks, the Military Intelligence Directorate has conducted a deep and thorough investigation into the reasons that led us to October 7th. It would be appropriate for a state commission of inquiry to be established to investigate the full range of causes that led to the war, and to ensure that what happened to us does not happen again.”
During the ceremony, Haliva addressed his family, choking back tears: “Everything I did was for you. I lost many subordinates in my service; only by chance did the bullet not find me.” He continued, saying: “I want to take this opportunity, as I say goodbye to the IDF, to apologize. On my behalf and on behalf of all Military Intelligence, I apologize.”
In the resignation letter he sent to the Chief of Staff in April, Haliva wrote: “I have carried that dark day with me ever since—day by day, night by night. I will forever bear the terrible pain of the war. At the beginning of the war, I expressed to you my desire to take responsibility and end my role.”
After his resignation took effect in April, Haliva continued to serve in his position until his successor, Major General Shlomi Binder, was appointed. At the ceremony, Binder said: “I am taking command of the Directorate tonight with a deep sense of reverence. The searing failure that led to the war, and the unbearable price we paid, will forever be etched in my bones. Nevertheless, we must not falter, and we must not give up.”
The Chief of Staff, who was present at the ceremony, noted: “The public’s expectation for intelligence to warn and know in advance is justified; the commanders’ desire for intelligence that will be provided and prevent murderous terrorism is the essence of intelligence work. And as great as the longing is, so too is the disappointment and the heartbreak in the face of failure.”
He then addressed Haliva, saying: “During your tenure, there were many achievements, and one painful and difficult failure. There are those who have never failed and criticize because they can; they haven’t failed because they’ve never stood in a place where they bore such heavy responsibility.”
The Chief of Staff then spoke about Haliva’s successor, Major General Shlomi Binder, saying that “he is the right person for the job,” adding, “We reviewed your actions on October 7th and found wisdom, responsibility, integrity, and self-reflection in them. We chose you because Military Intelligence needs the right commander, especially today, and you are the right person for this important role for the State of Israel.”
The ceremony concluded a period of significant and exceptional service, highlighting the commitment and responsibility that rest on the shoulders of senior commanders in the security establishment.
